PrGM thanks Quingenti Lodge members

The members of Quingenti Lodge No 8516 – The Provincial Grand Stewards Lodge, welcomed the Provincial Grand Master, Tony Harrison as the principal guest at their installation meeting.

Pictured from left to right are: Tony Harrison, John Karran and Philip Gambrill.

Tony was accompanied by four Assistant Provincial Grand Masters, Stewart Seddon, Harry Cox, David Winder, and David Grainger and Past Assistant Provincial Grand Master, Raymond Martland, Tony was also accompanied by the Provincial Senior and Junior Grand Wardens John Astbridge and Peter Allen, Keith Kemp (Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies), Barry Fitzgerald (Deputy Provincial Grand Director of Ceremonies), together many other grand and Provincial grand officers.

Over 100 brethren from across the Province and some from other Provinces who were attending the meeting for two reasons.

The first was to watch the 13 newly appointed steward’s parade into the lodge room after their application to join the lodge had been balloted for as joining members.

John welcomes the 13 Provincial Stewards who joined the lodge.

The second was to witness the installation of the ‘Steward’ (master elect) John Karran. John was installed into the chair of King Solomon by the outgoing worshipful master, Philip Gambrill. After being installed in the chair of King Solomon John invested the lodge officers which included Brian Griffiths as Jjnior warden and Mark Matthews as senior warden.

Tony Harrison congratulates John Karran on attaining the chair of Quingenti Lodge.

Tony congratulated John on attaining the chair of Quingenti Lodge, which he said was done in a “distinguished and unique manner.” Tony also congratulated all the brethren who had been appointed to office.

John then presented Tony with a cheque for £300 made out to the Freemasons Grand Charity – Masonic Charitable Foundation West Lancashire 2021 Festival.

More than 100 brethren retired to the main dining room to enjoy the festive board after the meeting was closed. They enjoyed a fine meal and listened as Tony responded to the toast to his health.

Tony paid tribute to the excellent work in the lodge by the installing master Philip Gambrill and all the officers who took part in the ceremony.

Tony continued by saying: “Congratulations to you John on being installed as WM of this very important lodge within our Province. I do not know what the Province would do without Quingenti Lodge and the work they do for the Province at our Provincial meetings.”

He also thanked all the members of the lodge who had voted to make him an honorary member of the lodge, which he said he was delighted to accept.

Tony then spoke about how pleased he was to see 12 Provincial Grand Stewards and one Past Provincial Grand Steward join the lodge. He said he was disappointed that since he had been appointed as Provincial Grand Master that not all 18 stewards had joined the lodge.

Tony then said: “That he agreed it was sensible for the lodge to convert to a past masters’ lodge and he was fully supportive of the lodge converting, if, it is the wish of the members to do so.”

He then spoke about the Tercentenary Gala Diner that had been held in the Hilton Hotel to mark the end of the Province’s celebration of the founding of the Premier Grand Lodge, at the Goose and Gridiron public house on 24 June 1717. He concluded by thanking all the brethren who had celebrated the Tercentenary in many ways across the Province.

He also thanked all those brethren who were supporting the Masonic Charitable Foundation 2021 Festival by wearing their “Jewel with Pride”, the light blue clubs than have been formed in the Province saying: “Please support the clubs by encouraging light blue Masons to join their local club.”

He then wished John Karran well in the coming year, he said: “You lead a most important body of men. Once again, I have greatly enjoyed my visit to our very fine lodge.

John then thanked all the members for supporting him and he wished them a very merry Christmas and a happy and prosperous New Year.

The toast to the visitors was proposed by the new steward of the lodge Steve Ralph. John Astbridge replied on behalf of the visitors, saying he had greatly enjoyed the ceremony and he congratulated John on attaining the chair of lodge and Philip for the excellent way he installed John.

During the meal a raffle was held which raised £598.50 for the MCF 2021 Festival. The charity plate in the lodge raised £493

The final toast of the evening was in the hands of the tyler Keith Lang who gave the tyler’s toast.